Tim Pawlenty is an American politician who served as the Governor of Minnesota from 2003 to 2011. A member of the Republican Party, he focused on issues like healthcare reform, tax cuts, and education during his time in office. Pawlenty was known for his pragmatic approach to governance and worked to balance the state budget. After his governorship, Pawlenty ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012 but ultimately withdrew from the race. He later served as the president of the Financial Services Roundtable, advocating for the financial services industry and promoting economic growth.